Arts Festival Drone _ Bill Cafarelli

Presented by The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission the 8th Newtown Arts Festival was another outstanding event. The festivities began Friday evening September 20th with the opening of the Wine and Beer Garden, food trucks, and the musical duo Chris Daly, and Connor Brennan. The evening headliner band The Merchants of Rhythm featured Dave Boyle, Chris Durham, David Wheeler, Freddie Merrill, Butch Bochino,, John Zulli, with special guest Jim Allyn.

Between Friday night, Saturday and Sunday approximately 5,000 visitors attended the festival. The weather was beautiful all three days with blue skies, and temperatures in the 80's. Under the big tent attendees enjoyed dining on a wide selection of delicious snacks and meals offered by a large variety of food trucks. For those who liked to shop vendors selling everything from handmade drums to leather hats and between. Displayed on the grounds were large steel sculptures by James Travers of Newtown, and an impressive display of larger than life seashell sculptures by Chandler Davis.

For sale were T-shirts and posters displaying a heart, the 2019 festival theme. The heart artwork was created by Newtown's Paula Brinkman winner of the festival artist contest. She is known as the painter of hearts on pavement. Paula also oversaw heart paintings of 222 reusable bags courtesy of PeaceLove Art who donated the bags and painting supplies.

Entertainment Saturday:

Dan and Pete's Kids Hour

Paul Green Rock Academy

Wool Hats String Band

Jim Allyn Band

An Evening of the Arts, Saturday

New England New Music Ensemble

Poetry readings by Phillip Gross of Newtown

Town Players of Newtown actors performed a musical, the first in their 80 year history